The RSVP Bibliography: "A Cooperative Effort" Since 1968

Abstract

The RSVP Bibliography:"A Cooperative Effort" Since 1968 Mercedes Sheldon (bio) Editorial Comment: We invite others to send us other fugitive bibliographical items which may have escaped the notice of VPN readers.1 As Michael Woolf's editorial call for "fugitive bibliographic items" suggests, the Research Society for Victorian Periodicals from its earliest days was focused on expanding scholarly understanding of Victorian journalism and promoting research about the periodical press. As the 2016 RSVP conference theme reminded us, the search for fugitive items on both fronts has become "bigger and better" with each progressive year. During the society's early years, there were a number of important bibliographical projects. In the second number of Victorian Periodicals Newsletter, issued in June 1968, Lionel Madden laid out his scheme for a "Bibliography of Writings about Victorian Periodicals" (figure 1). He noted that the publication of VPN had encouraged the Victorian Studies Centre at the University of Leicester "to proceed with an additional project to document the literature about Victorian periodicals," and he welcomed "offers of cooperation from all sources, so that an efficient bibliography [could] be compiled and made available as quickly as possible."2 Researchers Henry and Sheila Rosenberg joined Madden in the early work of grappling with this daunting task. At the end of their progress report in the November 1968 issue of VPN, they echo Madden's earlier request for community contributions: "It is clear that the comprehensiveness of this work will depend largely upon the cooperation which can be offered by all who are interested in this project. We should be grateful for any offers of help from readers of VPN."3 In 1970, as work on the first bibliography [End Page 650] was underway, J. Don Vann repeated the call for the full RSVP community to participate in the search for relevant scholarship, noting that the "project of putting together an annual list [was] beyond the energies of one bibliographer" and that producing "anything approaching a comprehensive list [would require] a cooperative effort."4 This request speaks to the historical and ongoing cultural norm of RSVP, for, as Vann points out, the "thrust of RSVP and VPN is cooperative."5 From its inception, the ever-expanding bibliography has been a resource that is a product of the entire RSVP community. Over the past fifty years, nine scholars have served in the role of RSVP bibliographer:6 • J. Don Vann edited the "Checklist of Criticism" for 1971–72 and the annual "Checklist of Scholarship and Criticism" between 1973 and 1977. • Larry K. Uffelman edited the "Checklist of Scholarship and Criticism" for each year between 1978 (when VPN became VPR) and 1986. He also reframed the scope of the project.7 • Bruce White edited the renamed "Annotated Bibliography" for each year between 1987 and 1990. • Cheryl Cassidy edited the "Annotated Bibliography" between 1991 and 1994.8 • Anne Hutchinson Lundin edited the 1993 "Annotated Bibliography," which appeared in the spring 1996 number of VPR. • Solveig Robinson edited the renamed "RSVP Bibliography" beginning with the 1994–97 edition. She then edited biannual editions between 1998 and 2005. • Alexis Easley edited the "RSVP Bibliography" between 2005 and 2010. • Katherine Malone edited the "RSVP Bibliography" between 2011 and 2016. • Ann Hale is currently at work on the next "RSVP Bibliography." Each of these editors coordinated the work of a specific group of participating scholars when identifying, reviewing, cataloging, and categorizing the content of each bibliography. Many of the RSVP bibliographers listed above first worked as apprentices before being appointed to serve as team leader.9 Although he did not serve in an official capacity as RSVP bibliographer, Philip J. Landon of the University of Maryland played a foundational role in the emergence of the field of periodicals research. His bibliography, "Research in Victorian Periodicals: A Checklist of Doctoral Dissertations in the U.S., 1921–67," appeared in the September 1969 number of VPN. This checklist was his "attempt to consolidate and classify those American doctoral dissertations which might prove useful to scholars interested in Victorian periodicals and newspapers."10 A perusal of the checklist reveals the dissertation titles of several RSVP notables: [End Page 651] • Josef L. Altholz, "The Liberal Catholic Movement in...